Upper-pulling machine.



E. BROTHERS. UPPER PULUNG MACHINE. APPLICAUON HLED JULY 24. 1918.

Patented Dec. 31, 19l8.

ELI BROTHERS, GF LYNN, 'JBIASSACHUSETT ASSIGNOR CORPORATION, OF PATERSGN, NTW JERSEY,

e. coRPoRATroN oF NEW JERSEY.

UPPER-Puntine MACHINE.

Lenaerts.

Speecation of Letters Patent.

Application filed Ju1y'24. 1918. Serial No. 246,521.

lowing description, in connection with the n drawings, isa specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

rlhis invention relates to upper pulling machines for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes, this application being a continuation' of my earlier application Serial No. 8,662, filed on August 2l, 1915 in so far as claims cover subject-matter disclosed in lier application. The invention is herein shown as embodied in a machine pariicularl"v designed preliminarily to stretch it and draw it into aplinoximate conformity to the contour of a last prior to the presentation of the slice to a pulling-over machine. It will be understood, however, that in its broader aspects the invention is not limited in its applicability to machines for thus performing .a preliminary upper pulling operation but is of general applicability to machines for pulling uppers on lasts.

Under some conditions in the manufacture of boots and shoes, as for example Where the upper of the shoe is so cut that it is comparatively small for the last or where the last is shaped in a peculiar manner, the best results require that the upper be pulledto .some extent before the shoe is subjected to the customary pulling-over operation in order to locate the. margin of the upper in a more convenient position for engagement by the pulling-over grippers or to improve the final shape of the shoe. By seizing the upper at the toe end of the last and pulling it lengthw Je of the last the margin of the upper at the toe, if the upper is cut short, may be so located as to permit the toe gripper of the pullingover machine readily to engage it when the shoe is presented to that machine, and such a preliminary lengthwise pull upon the upper also insures better results in the final shaping of the upper about the heel end portion of the last. Similarly, by seizing and pulling the upper at the 0paccompanying posite Vsides of the forepart, the margin may te more convenue: lo ated for presenfor pulling an upper.

tation to by thus drawing the upper down to the wood of the last back pulling-over operation at the toe' and` the sides a better final shaping of the forepart of the upper is insured. l Y

An object of this invention is to provide an improved machine for use in pulling uppers on lasts, the machine trative embodiment of the invention having characteristics which improved results in pulling an upperv as a preliminary operation prior to the final pull-` ing-over operation.

A feature of the invention consists in ,a novel combination of means foruse 1n pulling an upper both longitudinally and transy versely, including a toe gripper and means responsive to pressure of the work for causing it to close upon the upper. In the construction shown the toe gripper is closed when the work is presented to the machine by pressure of the shoe upon a shoe rest which serves also as a fulcrum about which the shoe may be swung to tension the upper longitudinally before it is pulled transversely, the construction also permitting the shoe to be swung subsequently 'to change the longitudinal tension in proportion to the tension applied transversely.

Further features of the invention are to be recognized in a novel combination of means for causing a gripper to close upon an upperV in response to pressure of the work and means for effecting relative movement of the gripper and the last to pull the upper; in novel means for holding a gripper closed during the upper pulling operation; in novel means affording relief to the pull of a grip per in the event of excessive tension; and in various details of construction and combinations of parte, all of which will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Y

Figure l is a View inside elevation of a machine in which the invention is embodied, portions o-f the mechanism being broken away to show the interior construction, and

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine, with portions shown in vertical section.

The machine compri-'ies a frame 2 having a horizontal portion e adapted, in the ,construction shown, to be secured to a work the .pulling-over side grippers, andof the toe prior t0 the final..-

shown as an illuscontribute effectively to.

T0 UNITED S15-EOE MACHINERY Patented nee. ai, 191e.'

ioo

' at the upper end oi' mounted on a bench and serving to support a. plurality ot upwardly projecting grippers arranged respectively to engage an upper at the toe end and at the opposite sides ot' the orepart of a last. The toe gripper comprises a substantially {ixed jaw 8 mounted upon the upper end of a rod 10 slidable vertically in a casing 12 within limits determined by a stop screw 14, and a jaw 16 pivoted at 18 to the jaw 8 and normally maintained in an open position by means of a spring 2O which is connected at one end to the pivoted jaw and at its other end to a pin 22 secured to the rod 10 and movable in a slot 24 in the casing 12. A spring 26 bearing at one end on the frame and at its other end on a collar 28 on the rod 10 tends to hold the toe gripper in its lower.- most position determined by engagement of a flange 30 with the upper end of the casing 12, while permitting the gripper to rise under certain conditions as'will be hereinafter explained. The casing 12 is provided with al horizontally iianged portion 82 movable in guideways in the frame to permit the toe gripper to be adjusted for shoes or" diterent lengths, a clamping screw 34 being provided to hold the gripper in adjusted position. For edecting closure of the gripper jaws the pivoted jaw 16 is provided with a forwardly extending arm 86 formed at its front end to provide upwardly extending iingers 38 for engagement with the bottom of a shoe substantially at the ball of the shoe. By downward pressure ot the shoe the arm 36 may thus be operated against the tension of the spring 20 to cause the pivoted jaw 16 to close upon the margin of the upper when the shoe is presented to the machine, and by depressing the rear portion of the shoe thus resting upon the members 38 the operator is enabled to swing the shoe in a direction to cause the upper to be pulled longitudinally by the toe gripper while the jaw 16 is held in its closed position by downward pressure of the shoe.

The two opposite side grippers comprise upright gripper casings 40 having horizontally flanged portions 42 movable in guideways 44 of the frame for adjustment ofthe side grippers i'or diiierent widths of shoes, the grippers being held in adjusted position by means of clamping screws 46. Secured each of the casings 4() is a tixed gripper jaw 48, and pivoted on the casing is a coperating jaw 50 having a tail portion arranged to be engaged by a roll 52 closing bar 54 which is vertically slidable in the casing 40 and extends downwardly below the horizontal portion 4 of the frame. A spring 56 mounted in a vertical slot in the bar 54 and bearing at its lower end against a transverse portion of the bar and at its upper end against a pin 58 on the casing 40 tends to move the closing bar 54 downwardly and thus to swing the `shoe rest, it being be pulled transversely pivoted jaw the upper. At its lower end the jaw' 54 carries a roll 60 mounted in an elongated slot in a lever 62 which is pivoted on the trame, and below the lever 62 is pivoted a lever 64 having at its upper end a roll 66'1 arranged to engage the lower side of the thus to hold the lever 62 in an elevated position' with the closing bar 54 raised against the tension of the spring 5,6 to permit the gripper jaws to open in the normal position of rest indicated in Fig., 2. In order to control the closing of the side grippers and to maintain the lever 64 normally in its position indicated in Fig. 2, the machine is provided with a rod 68 vertically movable in a 'bearing 70 at the lower end ot the trame and in a corresponding bearing in the horizontal portion 4 of the trame, this rod carrying a controlling member 7 2 which is arranged to engage the lower arm ot' the lever 64 for elevating the lever 62 and the gripper closing rod, this member having a roll 74 at each side to eliminate excessive friction in movement of the respective levers 64 by the operation ot' the member. A spring 76 mounted on the rod 68 and bearing at its upper end against the trame and at its lowery end on the member 72 tends to position the` rod normally at its lower limit or' movement determined by engagement of the member 72 with the bearing 70,. For elevating the rod 68 against the tension of the spring 'i6 the machine is provided with a treadle 78 pivoted at 80 on a base casting. At its upper end face the rod 68 is roughened to serve as a shoe rest, the rod being arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe at the forepart and to elevate the shoe relatively to the grippers.. In the normal position of the parts the upper end face ot the rod is located at some distance below the shoe, as shown in Figs. 1` and 2, thus permitting the toe gripper to be closed and the shoe to .be swung in a direction for pulling the upper longitudinally without interference by the rod. This arrangement of the parts, moreover, atlfords provision for the closing or" the side grippers upon the upper prior to any substantial elevation of the shoe by the operation of the understood that the side grippers are permit-ted to close through the action of the closing springs 56 when the controlling member 7 2 has been raised a sutlicient distance After the side grippers have been thus permitted to close, a further movement of the rod by raising the shoe causes the upper to by the action ci' these grippers and it may be also further pulled longitudinally by the action of the toe gripper.

ln order still to hold the toe gripper closedl upon the upper when the shoe is raised by the rod 68 and is thus elevated rela- 50 toward the other jaw to grip the to release the levers 64.

lever 62 and over toe gripper tively, to the. fingers 38, the machine is provided with a rack 82 vertically slidable in a bearing in the frame, the teeth of this rack engaging a pinion 84 which is mounted in fixed bearings and at its opposite side engages teeth which are cut in the rod 68. Slidably mounted in the rack member 82 is a rod 86 connected by a flexible chain 88 to the arm 36 of the pivoted gripper jaw 16 and carrying at its lower end a spring 90 which rests upon a nut 92 and when the parts are positioned vas shown in Fig. l, is maintained with its upper end spaced below the lower end farm 36 to swing freely for closing or openingthe gripper jaws unaffected by the spring 90.4 It will be evident, by reference to Fig. l, that when the rod 68 is raised to cause the side gripper-jaws to close upon the upper the rack member 82 will be moved downwardly, and will arrive in osition t0 engage the spring 90 substantiallgy at the time when the upper end of the rod 68 comes into engagement with the shoe. As the rod 68 continues 'to rise and to elevate the shoe, further downward' movement of the rack member 82 serves to compress the spring 90, the tension of which is suficient to overcome the tension of the gripper opening spring 20, and thus -through the rod 86 and the :chain 88 to hold the toe gripper jaws closed on the upper with pressure increasing in tion to the extentV of upward movement of the shoe.`

In the operation of the summarized, the operator presents a shoe to the machine by inserting the toe end portion of 'the upper in the open toe gripper jaws and then by downward pressure of the @shoe upon the fingers 38 causes the gripper to close upon the upper. By swinging the shoevabout thev fingers 38 as a fulcrum the operator is then enabled to cause the upper to be pulled longitudinally by the action of it ietoe gripper to any extent desired in 0rder to bring the margin into more convenient location for engagement by the pullingand also in order to set the upper about the heel end portion of the last. TVhile holding the shoe with the upper in its longitudinally pulled condition, the operator then depresses the treadle 78 and elevates the shoe rest rod 68, thus causing the side grippers to close upon the upper and `-lvthen raising the last relatively to both the and the toe gripper, the toe gripper1 being held in its closed position upon the upper by the action of the rack and pinion mechanism hereinbefore described. In this manner the upper is pulled across the last to bring the margin into more convenient location for enga gement by the pullingover side gripners and also is drawn down to the top of the last back of the toe. and in the same manner the upper may be further tenside grippers of the rack member 82 to permit the i propormachine, briefly j sioned longitudinally by the action of the toe gripper. During the operation o the treadle, however, the Operator is enabled, by swinging the shoe about the upper cnd'ot' the rod 68 as a fulcrum, either to increase or te relax the longitudinal tension relatively to the transverse tension, the constructlon also permitting the operator to swing'the shoe laterally in order to effect a relative adjustment between the upper and the last or bctween the last and tne toe gripper. In the event of any undue strain upon thel upper longitudinally, the spring 26 may vieldand thus-permit the toe gripper t0 rise bodily to relieve -the tension. After the upper has been 'pulled to the desired extent both longitudinally and transversely, the operator places his hand upon the shoe in position to retain the upper substantially in its pulled condition, and then releases the treadle 78 to permit the parts of the machine to return to their starting positions, the grippers ing to release the shoe. While holding the shoe in this manner the operator will then present it to a pulling-over machine to cause the upper to be pulled over and fastened in the -usual way.

It will be evident that the use of the machine herein shown permits uppers to be cut comparatively small for the last without detriment to the quality of the work and openstock.

Having described the invention, what I *l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is',`

l. An upper pulling machine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upper at the toe end of a last, means responsive to pressure of the work to cause said gripper to close upon the upper, said means being constructed to serve as a rest about which the last may be swung for pulling the upper longitudinally, and means construct-- ed and arranged for use subsequently to such swinging movement of the last to pull the upper transversely after it has been pulled longitudinally.

2. An upper pulling machine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upper at the toe end of alast, means responsive to pressure of the work to cause said gripper to close upon the upper, said meansl serve as a rest about for pulling the and additional means transverselv.

being constructed to which the last may be swung upper longitudinally, for pulling the upper 3. An upper pulling machine having, in

the upper to be pulled longitudinally said Y 1 30r 'i gripper in responseV to pressure of the operfor engaging `an upators hand upon the shoe, side grippers, and means for effecting relative movement of the last and the side grippers to pull the upper transversely.

4. An'upper pulling machine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upper at the toe end of a last, means arranged to be engaged by the work to cause said gripper to close upon the upper, said means being constructed to permit the last to be fulcrumed upon it to cause the upper to be pulled longitudinally, side grippers, and means for effecting relative movement of the last and the side grippers to pull the upper transversely.

5. A machine for pulling an upper on a last having, in combination, a toe gripper, side grippers, means responsive to pressure of the work to cause the toe gripper to close upon the upper, said means being constructed to serve as a rest about which the last may be swung for pulling the upper longitudinally before the side grippers close upon the upper, and means constructed and arranged. for usev subsequently to such swinging movement of the last for effecting relative movement of the last and the side grippers to pull the upper transversely after it has been pulled longitudinally.

6. Apparatus for pulling an upper on a llast having, in combination, a base, a lower gripping jaw supported in fixed position by the base, an upper jaw movable toward the fixedjaw and having an operating arm eze4 tending at a substantial angle to the gripping face of the upper jaw and upon which a shoe can be rested to effect closing of the jaws and which is formed to permit the last that is within the shoe to be fulcrumed thereon to pull the upper lengthwise between the jaws and the last, and means for engaging the upper at the opposite sides of the last and pulling it transversely.

7. An upper pulling machine having, in combination, a toe gripper comprising a rigid jaw, a movable jaw, and means projecting from said movable jaw for engagement with a shoe to cause the gripper.to close in response to pressure of the shoe, grippers arranged to engage the upper at opposite sides of the ball of a shoe presented to said toe gripper, and means to operate the side grippers.

8. An upper pulling machine having, in combination, a toe gripper comprising a rigid jaw, a movable jaw and means for causing closure of the jaws and stretching of the upper longitudinally in response to pressure of the shoe, grippers arranged to engage the upper at opposite sides of the ball of a shoe presented to said toe gripper, and means to move the side grippers and the shoe lastrelatively for stretching the upper transversely.

9. A machine for pulling an upper on a last having, in combination, a toe gripper, side grippers, a shoe bottom rest responsive to pressure of the shoe to cause the toe gripper to close upon the upper and constructed to serve as a'fulcrum about which the last may be swung longitudinally, and means for causing the side grippers to close upon the upper and for moving the last relatively to said grippers for pulling the upper transversely.

10. A machine for pulling an upper on a for pulling the upper last having, in combination, a toe gripper,

side grippers, means responsive to pressure of the work to cause the toe gripper Y upon tlieupper, said means being constructed to serve as a rest about may be swung for pulling tudinally before it is pulled transversely, and means for causing the side grippers-to close upon the upper and for moving the last relatively to the several grippers for pulling the upper both transversely and longitudinally. o

11. A machine for pulling an upper on a last having, in combination, a` toe gripper, side grippers,rmeans responsive to pressure of the work to cause the toe gripper to close upon the upper, said means being constructed to serve as a shoe rest about which the last may be swung for pulling the upper longitudinally, a second shoe rest, and means for causing the side grippers to close upon the upper and for moving said second rest to cause the upper to be pulled by the grippers.

12. A machine for which the last pulling an upper on a last having, in combination, a toe gripper,

the shoe, said arm being constructed to serve a fulcrum about which the last may be swung for pulling the upper longitudinally before it is pulled transversely, a shoe rest, and means for causing the side grippers to close upon the shoe and for operating the shoe rest for pulling the upper transversely, said shoe rest being constructed to permit swinging movement of the last to proportion the longitudinal pull to the transverse pull.

13. An upper pulling machine combination, a gripper for engaging an upper at the toe end of a last, means comprising a pivoted shoe rest member responsive to pressure of the work to cause said gripper to close upon the upper, and means for pulling the upper said toe gripper is closed upon the upper.

14. A machine for pulling an upper ona last having, in combination, a toe gripper, side grippers, means extending froinvone of the jaws of the toe gripper to be `engaged and moved by the work for closing said jaw theV upper longit0, Close c having, in

supper at the toe upon the upper, and means `for causing the side grippers to close upon the upper and for el'ecting relative movement of all the grippers and the last to pull the upper.

15. An upper pulling machine having, in combination, grippers for engaging an upper at opposite sides of a last, a shoe rest. mea-ns for operating' said shoe rest to move the last relatively to said grippers, mechanism responsive to movement of said operating means for causing said grippers to close upon the upper, a toe gripper, and means independent of said shoe rest operating means for causing the toe gripper to close upon the upper before the side grippers close.

16. An upper'pulling machinehavin'g, .in combination,` grippers 'for engaging an u per at opposite sides 'of a last, a shoe rest, treadle' operated means for causing said grippers to' close upon the upper andV for moving said shoe rest relatively to thegrippers 'to pullthe'upper, a toe gripper, and means responsive to pressure of the -Work to cause said'toegrip-per 'to close upon the upper before the side grippers close.

17. .In an upper pulling machine, the combination with a toe gripper and side grippers, of meanscomprisinga pivoted shoe rest memberresponsive to pressure of the `Work to cause the toe gripper to close upon and treadleoperated means for the upper,

side grippers to close upon vthe causing the upper.

18. In an upperpulling machine, the combination with a gripper for engaging an upper at'the to'e'end of a last, of means extendingfrom` one' ofthe jaws of engaged and moved by the work for closing said Ijaw'upon the upper, and means for effecting v'relativev movement of'v the last and saidgrippe'r to pull the upper.

vIn an upper pulling machine, the combination with aigripper'for engaging an end of a last, of means responsive to pressure of the work to cause said gripper to close' upon the upper, and means for moving the last relatively to said gripper to pull the upper while the gripper 1s held substantially stationary.

n upper pulling machine having, in combination, an uprig ht jaw,- a companion jaw pivoted thereto and having an angular i arm arranged tobe'engaged'an'd rocked by the bottom of a shoefpresented with the edge of the upper`between' the'jaws, and last raising means arranged to 'engage the shoe bottom between said jaws and the` shoe engaging end of said' arm.

21. Anupper pulling machineA having, in combination, a rigid jaw,` a movable jaw, means vfor causing closure of the jaws arranged to be operated by the shoe, va shoe rest, and means for operating the shoe' rest to move'the shoe substantially perpendicusaid gripper to be bination with larly to its sole'face'andrelatively to the jaws to stretch thefupper betweenfthe last and the jaws while vthe jaws are-held substantially stationary.

22. In an upper per arranged to engage an upper on a last and comprising relatively movable jaws, means extending from one oi said jaws into position to engage the, bottom of a shoe and constructed to move said jaw to closed posi-` tion in response to pressure of the shoe, and means for eilecting relative movement of the gripper and the last to pull the upper.

23. In an upper-pulling machine, the combination with a gripper 'for engaging. an upper at the toe end ofa last, ofr-an'arm extending from one' of the jaws of' said gri'pperinto position tofengage thebottom of the shoe and responsii'fe to pressure of the pulled by the gripper.

In an upper pullinglmachine, the combination with a' grippertor engaging an upper at'the toe end of av last. of means responsive-to pressure 'of the'l shoe 'to cause said gripper to closeupon the upper,fsaid meansbeing constructed to serve as arest about which the last may be' swung for pull-f ing the upper longitudinally, and means for eiiecting relative movementy of the Vlast and said gripper forfurther pullingthe upper.

25. In an upper-'pulling machine, the combination with a gripperfor engaging an' upper'at'the't end of a' last, of means responsive'to pressure of the' shoe to' cause said gripper'to closeupon the upper, said means beingconstructed'to serve a'sa rest about which the'lastmaybe swung for pull-`i ing the/'upper longitudinally, andv means constructed to engage the bottom of the shoe and to move the last relatively to said gripper for further pulling the upper.

In an upper pulling machine, the coma gripper'for engaging yan upper at the toev end of a last, of means responsive to pressure of the work to cause said gripper to close uponthe upper, means for effecting relativemovement of the lastt and said, gripper to pull the upper, and means for holding'the lgripper closed during the upper pulling operation.

27. In an upper pulling'machine, the combination with'a gripper for engaging an" upper onala'st, of means for causing said gripper to close upon'the upper, means forv moving they last relatively to the gripperin a direction to pull the upper while the gripper remains substantially stationary. and additional means connected to the'gri'pper to hold it'closed during said movement ofthe last, said additional means being constructed consequence 'off the movement of the vlast pulling machine, agripmeans for holdingthe gripper closed during the operation of the shoe rest.

29. In an upper pulling machine, the combination With a gripper or engaging an upper on a last,.of means extending from said gripper into position to be engaged bythe Y bottom of the shoe and responsive to pressure ot the shoe to close the gripper on the upper, a shoe rest,means for operating said shoe rest to move the last relatively to the gripper for .pulling the upper, and means connected to said shoe rest operating means for operating upon said gripper to closed. f

30. In an upper bination with a gripper for engaging an upper on a last, ot means extending from said gripper' into position sure of the shoe to close the gripper on the upper, a shoe rest, means for operating said shoe rest to move the last relatively to the gripper orpulling the upper, and a `yielding connection between said `shoe restoperating means and the gripper for holding the gripper closed.v y

31. In an upper pulling machine, the combination With a gripper for engaging an upper on a last, of means extending from said gripper into position to be engaged by the bottom ofthe shoe and responsive to prest sure of the shoe to ,close the gripper on the upper, a shoe rest, meansfor operating said shoe rest to move the last relatively to the gripper Jforpulling the upper, and means (onstructed `and arranged for operation in determined relation to the movement of the shoe rest to bring yielding pressure to bear upon said gripper to hold it closed.

82. In an upper per for engaging an upper at tlek toe end oi a last comprising a pair of 'jaws one of Which is pivoted to swing toward and from the other, an arm extending from said pivoted jaw into position to be engaged by the bottoni of a shoe for closing said jaw upon the upper, means for edeeting relative movement of the last and said gripper to pull. the upper, and means connefted to said arm for holding the gripper closed during the upper pulling operation.

33. rIn an upper pulling machine, a gripper for engaging an upper atthe toe end of a last comprising a pair of jaws one of Whifh is pivoted to swing toward and from the vother, an arm extendingfroni said pivhOlCi li) pulling machine, the com-` V,bination With a to bev engaged by the, bottoni of the shoe and-responsive to prespulling machine, a gripoted jaw into position to be engaged by the bottom of a shoe for closing said jaw upon the upper, a shoe bottom rest, means or operating said rest to cause the upper to be pulled by the gripper, and a connection be.- tween said arm and rest Jr`or bringing yielding pressure to bear upon said pivoted jaw to hold the gripper closed.

34:. In an upper pulling machine, a gripper for engaging an upper at the toe end of a last comprising a pair of jaws one of which is pivoted to swing toward and from the other, an arm extending from said pivoted jaw into position to be engaged by the bottom of a shoe for closing said jaw upon the upper, a shoe bottom rest, means for operating said rest to cause the/upper to be pulled by the gripper, and means conne^ted to said arm for holding the gripper closed with pressure-increasing in proportion to the extent of the movement. of the bottom rest.

35. In an upper pulling machine, the comgripper for engaging. an upper at the toe end of a last, of means sponsive to pressure of the'shoe for closing said gripper upon the upper, means forv et- 'ezting relative movement oi` the gripper andthe last to pull the upper, .and means for holding said gripper elosedivith pressure increasing iii proportion to the strength of the pull upon theupper.

36. In an upper pulling machine, the combination with a gripper for engaging an upper at the toe end of a last, of means responsive to pressure of the shoe tor clesing said gripper upon the upper, said means being constructed to servev as a rest about which the last may bevsvvung for pulling'the upper longitudinally, means or effecting relative movement of the gripper and the last for further pulling the upper, and means for holding said gripperelosed during said further pull upon the upper. -e v y B7. In an upper pulling manhine', the coinbination with. a gripper for engaging :in upper at the toe end of a last, of means-responsive to pressure oi the shoe Ifor closing said gripper upon the upper, said means being constructed to serve as a rest about, which the last may be swung for pulling the upper longitudinally, a shoe bottom rest, means for operating said bottom rest to eause the vupper to be further pulled bythe gripper, and means operative indetermincd relation to the movement of said lbottomrest for operating upon said gripper `to hold it closed. v

38. In an upper pulling machine, a gripper for engaging an upper atthe toe end of a last, said. gripper comprising jaws one ot which is pivoted to swing toward and from the other jaW,.an arm connected to said piv- Y upper transversely,

' holding it closed ing said jaw upon the upper, said arm being v constructed to serve as a rest above which the last may be sming for rausing the gripper to pull the upper while the gripper is held in closed position by the shoe, treadle operated means for moving the last relatively to said gripper `for further pulling the upper, and a connection between said trea lle operated means and said pivoted jaw ior holding said jaw in closed position during said further pull upon the upper.

39. In an upper pulling' machine, the coinbination with a gripper for engaging an upper at the toe end of a last, of means responsive to pressureor" the shoe for closing said gripper upon the upper, grippers for engaging lthe upper at oppositesides 'of the last, means for eileting relative movement or the last and the and means for holding said-toe gripper closed during the upper pulling operation.

In an upperpulling machine, the conibination with a gripper for engaging an upper at the toe end oa -last, of means arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe and responsive to pressure of the shoe for closing said gripper upon theupper, ygrippers for engaging the upper at opposite sides of the last, a shoe bottom rest, means for operating said bottom rest to cause the upper to be pulled transversely by the side grippers, and means connected to said toe gripper for during the upper pulling operation.

4l. In an upper pulling machine, the combination with a gripper for engaging an upper at the toe end of a last, of a member extending from said gripper into position to be engaged by the bottom of the shoe for closing said gripper upon the upper, a shoe bottom rest, side grippers, means for operating said bottom rest to move the last away from said closing member and cause the upper to be pulled by the grippers, and means connected to said member for holding the toe gripper closed during said movement of the last.

42. In an upper pulling machine, the combination with a toe lgripper and side grippers, of means responsive to pressure of the shoe for closing said toe gripper upon the upper, said means being constructed to serve as a rest about which the last may be swung for pulling the upper longitudinally prior to the transverse pull of the side grippers, a shoe bottom rest, means for operating said bottoni rest to cause the upper to be pulled transversely, and means for holding said toe gripper closed upon the upper during said transverse pull.

43. In an upper pulling machine, a gripper for engaging an upper at the toe end of a last, said gripper comprising a pair of jaws one of which is pivoted to swing toside grippers to pull the i 'en ga ging ward and from fthe other, an arinfconnected to said pivoted jaw and arranged to be-operated by pressure of the shoe for closing said jaw upon the upper and also to serve as a rest about which the last may be swung For pulling the upper longitudinally, grippers for engaging the upper at opposite sides of the last, a shoe bottom rest, means for operating' said bottom rest to cause the upper to be pulled transversely by the side grippers, and connections between said operating means and said arm for holding the toe lgripper closed during said transverse pull upon the upper.

S44. In an upper pulling machine, a'gripper for engaging an upper atthe'toe end of a last, said lgripper comprising a pair of jaws one of which is pivotedto swing tokward and from the other, an arm connected to said pivoted iaw arranged to be operated by pressureof the shoe forclosing said jaw upon the upper `and also to servecas a rest about which'the last may be swung for pulling the 'upper longitudinally, grippers for tlie'upper at opposite last, a shoe bottom rest, means `oroperatingsaid bottomrest tocause'the upper to De pulled transversely by the side grippers, and

sides of the 1 a connection to said'pivoted jaw forholding it closed upon the upper with pressure increasing in 'proportion to fthe extent of movement of the shoe rest.

45. An upper pulling machine having, in combination, grippers for engaging an upper at the toe and at opposite sides of a last, means responsive to pressure of the shoe for causing said toe gripper to close upon the upper, said means being constructed to serve as a rest about which the last may be swung for pulling the upper longitudinally prior to the transverse pull, means for moving ,the last relatively to the grippers to cause the upper to be pulled transversely by the side grippers, means for holding said toe gripper closed during said movement ofthe last` and means permitting said toe gripper to yield in response to the pull of the upper.

46. An upper pulling machine having, in combination, grippers for'engaging an upper at the toe and at opposite sides of a last, means constructed to close said toe gripper upon the upper, said means being constructed also to serve as a rest about which the last mav be swung by the operator for pulling the upper longitudinally while free from transverse tension, means for moving the last relatively to the side grippers to pull the upper transversely while the toe `gripper retains its hold upon the upper, and means permitting the toe gripper to yield in response to the pull of t e upper during- In an upper pulling machine,

toe end per for engaging an upper last relatively to f which is'pivot'ed to swing of a last, means responsive to pressure of the shoe for causing said gripper to close upon the upper, means for moving the last relatively to said gripper to pull the upper, and means permitting said gripper to yield to the pull of the upper when a. predetermined tension is exceeded.

48. In an. upper pulling machine, a gripper for engaging an upper at the toe end of a last, means arranged to engage the bottom of a shoe and responsive to pressure of the shoe for closing said gripper upon the upper, said means being constructed to serve as a rest about which the last may be swung for pulling the upper, means for moving the said gripper for further pulling the upper, and means permitting said gripper'to yield during said further .pull when a predetermined tension is exy ceeded. .v

49. In an upper pulling machine, a grip-4 on a last, said a .pair of jaws one ot toward and from the other, an :arm extending from said pivoted jaw into position to be engaged by the bottom of a shoeior closing said jaw upon the upper, means 'for moving the last gripper comprising relatively to said gripper to pull the upper,

five cents each,

means connected to said pivoted jaw to h'oid it closed during -said movement of the last, and means permitting said gripper to yield in response to the pull of the upper when a4 predetermined tension is exceeded.

50. An upper pulling machine having, in combination, a rigid jaw,a movable jaw, means for causing closure of the jaws arranged to be operated by the shoe, yielding supporting means for the jaws constructed to hold them substantially s1 ationary during the upper pulling operation while permitting them to yield when a deiinite strain is exceeded, and means for moving the last relatively to the jaws to stretch the upper to an extent determined by the resistance of the yielding supporting means.

51. 1n an upper pulling machine, a gripper, a shoe rest, means or operating sai shoe rest to cause the upper to be pulled by the gripper, and means constructed to maintain said gripper in a substantially stationary position during the upper pulling operation while permitting' it to move yieldingly with the upper when a definite strain is exceeded.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ELl BROTHERS,

by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0; 

